On Tuesday, the Ministry of Education announced that graduates of basic schools cannot use the new SAIS3 system. They must use the old SAIS2 system or another platform. SAIS3 was not completed on time.
Tarmo Loodus, director of the Viljandi Vocational Training Center, said that vocational schools have no major problems using SAIS2. The problem is with general education schools that have not used SAIS2. They must now quickly learn the new system.
Ott Ojaveer, director of Tartu Gymnasium, said that they are in talks with the Stuudium environment. More details about the Tartu pilot projects will be available next Wednesday. This is five weeks before admissions begin.
Loodus said that not using SAIS3 is also good. Children should not be guinea pigs. Systems must be ready and secure before implementation.
In vocational education, the bigger problem is with curricula. They are not yet ready. Schools must quickly prepare their curricula. There is only a couple of weeks for this. The documents are very long, some over 500 pages.
Loodus said that the new system creates stress for young people. If a student cannot get into school, they must wait a year. Only then can they start preparatory studies. This is difficult for both students and schools.
Estonian municipalities have few resources. They must work quickly in summer and autumn. Robert Lippin, an education advisor, said that the state must provide more help. Otherwise, some young people will be left without support.
Alo Savi from the Ministry of Education said that SAIS3 will simplify life for everyone. Students can do everything in one place. The system will go live in 2026. Savi disagrees that preparatory studies create stress. He said that it helps students find the right path.
Savi said that the ministry will not provide financial assistance to municipalities. Therefore, youth workers have a lot of work to do.